Forgotten Sins (Sin Brothers, #1)(87)

“I was scared.” Maybe Malloy had the same ingrained instinct to help that Shane did. Why not give it a shot? “I got away, but I knew George would come back after me. I thought Shane had already left town. I’m alone, Detective.” She lifted her chin to meet his gaze as she lied. “You’ve been after my husband since day one. I figured Billy would be found by the construction crew, and I could just stay out of it.”

Malloy blew out a frustrated breath. “Was your husband with you on the ninth floor that day?”

“No. Shane wasn’t involved at all, Detective.”

“Man, I wish you would let me help you.” Malloy’s upper lip quirked. “Yes, well. Billy was clearly laundering money for a drug dealer, and as you’ve said, Max admitted he killed the guy.” A knock sounded on the door, and Malloy called, “Come in.”

The receptionist, a forty-something redhead with curved hips under a tight pencil skirt, hurried into the room to set down two steaming coffee mugs. She yanked a file out from underneath her arm. “Detective Malloy. Here’s the file you requested.”

The scent of gardenia perfume competed with the warm coffee smell.

Malloy sat forward, accepting the file. He tugged on his tie, while a fine blush wandered across his beefy face. “Thank you, Ms. Smyth.”

“Anytime.” She patted his shoulder, turned on three-inch heels, clipped toward the door, shutting it with a sharp snap.

Malloy flipped open the file.

Interesting. Josie sat back, letting a smile play on her face. “Ms. Smyth is pretty.”

Malloy jolted, lifting his head. “Hmm. I hadn’t noticed.” He glanced at the papers spread out before him.

Oh, he was just too cute. “Liar. She has nice tastes in ties.”

Malloy lifted an eyebrow, and then a wide grin slid across his face. “She has even better taste in men.”

“Yes, she does.” Josie smiled back.

“Do you think perhaps you’re clinging on to a life that doesn’t exist? I mean, you’re throwing your life away for a man who will destroy you?” Malloy’s eyes softened.

The kernel of truth in the possibility cut deep. “Are you about to turn into a bully, Detective Malloy?”

His expression didn’t change. But his jaw tightened. Ah. He didn’t like that thought. Yet the cop wasn’t the only one in the room who could dig under the surface. She’d navigated a scary world all by herself her entire childhood.

“Definitely not. I won’t bully you, Mrs. Dean.” Malloy rested his elbows on the table and exhaled loudly. “I really do want to protect you. I can. Let me help.”

“How?”

“Tell me the truth about your husband—was he there that day?”

She shrugged. “No. George came after me for Max’s files, told me that Max had killed Billy. I believed him.”

“How did you get away from a killer?”

She smiled sadly. “I’m a survivor, Detective, and I got away from him the same way I kept Max from killing me.”

Malloy gave a short nod of acknowledgment. “Tell me about your husband.”

“You know as much as I do.” Josie glanced at her watch. “Shane was a marine, and he disappeared for the last two years.” No way would she tell the detective about Shane’s life or the danger that stalked him. “I don’t know where.” Ironically, neither did Shane. Yet. She’d also meant it when she’d told Matt they were family. Her concept of the word might be colored by need, but she’d protect both him and Nathan from discovery. “I have nothing new to add.”

Malloy studied her and then shook his head. His chair scraped the concrete as he stood. “Good enough. Are you sure you want to go back to the hospital? I can have a black-and-white take you anywhere you want to go.”

“I’m sure.” She brightened her smile to reassure him. “Trust me. I’ve got this covered.” And she did. Almost losing Shane to a bullet had made her realize she’d fight for him and for their future. They’d figure out the kill chip, and they’d move on together. It was time to get hold of her husband and explain their future. He was going to trust her, and she was going to love him. Forever.

It was as simple as that.





Chapter 27

Determination animated Josie as she hustled through the station and into the waiting room, where she stopped short.

Tom jumped out of an orange chair. Daniel slid to his feet slowly.

Josie shook her head. “Tom? Dan? What are you doing here?”

Tom glared at the detective. “We stopped by the hospital to see you, and the on-duty nurse told us you’d left with a detective.” The outside door opened and a curvaceous woman in tweed clicked Jimmy Choos toward them. “Ah. Here’s my lawyer,” he said with satisfaction.

The lawyer stood eye to eye with Malloy. “Jennifer Daly from Thymes, Witherspoon, and Craft.” She shuffled muscular calves, handing him a cream-colored business card. “Did you read my client her rights?”

“Nope.” Malloy slid the card into his jacket pocket. “She’s not under arrest and was free to go at any time.”

Josie stiffened. “I don’t need a lawyer. We were just finishing the paperwork.”

Malloy smiled at the lawyer. “Yep. Sorry to waste your time, ma’am.”